Hurricane Irene moved up the coast of Florida Friday after departing the Bahamas Thursday evening. The storm, which has sustained winds of 115 winds, is expected to pass well off the coast of northeastern Florida and approach the North Carolina coast today, according to the National Hurricane Center. A hurricane watch is in effect for north of Sandy Hook, N.J. to the mouth of the Merrimack River in Massachusetts, including New York City, Long Island, Boston and Nantucket, R.I.

In the Bahamas, the Grand Bahama International Airport is severely flooded and remains closed, according to local press reports. Eleuthera’s Rock Sound Airport was also “compromised” due to flooding. The Bahamas’ National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported widespread storm damage on Cat Island and Exuma, with downed utility poles and lost shingles on homes and other buildings. Acklins suffered the most damage with 17 homes completely destroyed and 29 suffering major damage.

Meanwhile, Grand Bahama’s Our Lucaya reported “minor cosmetic damage” from Hurricane Irene and will reopen on Aug. 28 following work to repair landscaping and address “minor leaks and electrical outages.” Flight operations at the Freeport/Grand Bahama International Airport resumed Aug. 26.

Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour, Abacos, Bahamas, reported no serious damage from the storm. Guests and staff remained safe, secure and dry during the hurricane that hovered over the resort yesterday. This weekend engineers and surveyors will examine all structures, including the docks. The hurricane caused minor damage to the resort’s exterior and landscape, with some tree and solar panel damage. Although Hurricane Irene disrupted the Marsh Harbour flight schedules, flight service to and from Marsh Harbor is scheduled to resume by Saturday, Aug. 27.

Several Turks & Caicos resorts reported some flooding, as well as landscaping and cosmetic damage in the storm’s aftermath. As previously reported, Sandals Resorts has closed Beaches Turks & Caicos for 15 days to assess damage to the resort. Also in the Turks & Caicos, Seven Stars Resort reported that no structural damage was sustained - only damage to some landscaping and sand in isolated areas of the property.

Turks & Caicos officials have confirmed no reported injuries during the storm, with pockets of flooding occurring in some localized areas due to the storms significant rainfall. The 12-mile stretch of Grace Bay Beach also remained intact because it was protected by the island’s natural barrier reef. Turks & Caicos’ Providenciales International Airport (PLS) re-opened on Thursday, Aug. 24.